John,

My name is Rocky Ratliff, I am a former OSU wrestler and survivor of systemic sexual abuse and assault perpetrated by OSU Doctor Richard Strauss. Also, I am an Attorney representing forty-two (42) Plaintiff/Survivors, which includes my own case, against The Ohio State University in the case entitled Knight et. al. v. The Ohio State University filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

For decades, OSU Doctor Richard Strauss sexually abused hundreds of men, including me. OSU received credible and detailed reports of sexual abuse against its students and athletes that were ignored, swept under the rug, concealed, and covered up. Some reports were even shredded by OSU employees. The reports of sexual abuse were given to coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, administrators, etc. A $6.8 million-dollar independent investigation was conducted and confirmed that at least 177 OSU student athletes had been sexually abused and OSU turned a blind eye to said abuse.

It has been widely reported that one of the OSU Coaches that received reports of abuse and knew of this abusive environment was Jim Jordan. As the Head Assistant Wrestling Coach, Jim Jordan would have interacted with victims of Strauss’ sexual abuse daily.

Like other OSU Coaches, Jim Jordan brushed off most of the reports. Although dozens of his wrestlers were sexually abused and harassed, Jim Jordan continues to spew a false narrative that he didn’t know. Additionally, this false narrative downplays and belittles the sexual abuse and harassment that athletes under his watch endured. Even if the naïve were to believe Jim Jordan, one has to ask, why has not a single wrestler coached by Jim Jordan been contacted by Mr. Jordan, simply to ask how they are doing? NOT ONE!

Jim Jordan was my childhood hero. I was a Jim Jordan supporter. I thought he had character. He was a family friend and my father donated money to his campaigns. It was an honor for me to receive a law school recommendation from him. However, since his false statements regarding the OSU case, in good conscious, I have to speak up.

Jim Jordan has abandoned his former athletes for his own selfish reasons. When he could have told the truth to help the sexual survivors of OSU, Jim Jordan deliberately abandoned us. This is not leadership. If Jim Jordan refuses to help his former wrestlers, guys he recruited and promised their parents that he would take care of them, if Jim Jordan will not come to their aid, what chance will the average person have in getting his help?

One of my hardest realizations in dealing with OSU, is the fact that my childhood hero, Jim Jordan turned his back on me and the countless others, who were sexually harassed, assaulted, and raped at OSU. We must all now hold OSU and others like Jim Jordan accountable. In our OSU case, we plan on asking Jim Jordan to be deposed under oath and if necessary, using the Court’s subpoena power to force his deposition.

Although Jim Jordan refuses to stand with sexual abuse survivors, Tamie Wilson has taken on our fight for justice. She is a fearless leader, who has not backed down in trying to help us. She has been a strong supporter and advocate. Her ability to LISTEN and HELP is what we need. Additionally, she is working on drafting bills to put before our legislators and the NCAA to prevent current and future sexual abuse. Simply put, Tamie Wilson gets it.

As you know, in order to get rid of Jim Jordan, we must all come together and do what we can to help Tamie Wilson. I am asking you to stand with Tamie and the OSU Survivors as we seek justice. A contribution of any amount to Tamie’s campaign is a statement for Justice and would make a big impact.

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